Audio dropouts when instrument automation enabled in cubase 11

[stuart-beattie]

Further testing in cubase 11. Everything is working really well except automation. I've previously reported automation not being recorded via the plugin UI using cubase, however there's also an issue with audio dropouts occurring as soon as reading automation is activated. When automation is turned off the dropouts stop.

[apohl79]

If you can reproduce the drop outs, could you provide the plugin&server logs? Thx!

[stuart-beattie]

[AudioGridderPlugin_2021-10-08_21-50-50.log](https://github.com/apohl79/audiogridder/files/7314120/AudioGridderPlugin_2021-10-08_21-50-50.log
AudioGridderServer_2021-10-08_21-50-29.log
)
Please find attached. The log was recorded creating a new empty project in cubase, adding an instance of audiogridder VST2 instrument, loading remote instance of Diva VST2 and recording a small midi clip. The output parameter on Diva was then automated. Audio dropouts heard on playback with automation being read. Thanks.

[stuart-beattie]

ah, disarming record on the track seems to reduce the dropouts

[stuart-beattie]

have duplicated 10 instances of audiogridder running diva at 1 buffer, with short midi clip and output automation. No dropouts until i arm record on one of them.

[stuart-beattie]

one more thing however, if i open up a larger cubase template with a few inserts on the signal path, and then try the same, i get dropouts with one instance of audiogridder with automation enabled, whether I or not I have the track record armed. Again as soon as automation switched off on the track, things work without issue. hope this helps. Thanks

[apohl79]

thanks!

[apohl79]

I can't reproduce this really. I did a little screen recording with a demo of diva. no dropouts or anything with or without AG buffering. the track was always record armed. maybe you can do the same, so I see what I have to do in cubase, but so far I can't see the issue.

screen.mp4

[stuart-beattie]

I've had another look at this. If I switch my ASIO driver to Generic Low Latency ASIO, the issue goes away 🤔 I'm usually running with the RME Fireface USB ASIO driver (RME babyface PRO interface).

[stuart-beattie]

The issue also resolves if I raise the Fireface buffer size from 256 to 1024 samples. Would automation be expected to place significant increased demand on buffer size?

[apohl79]

No idea, might be cubase specific

[stuart-beattie]

Another observation is that the automation works without issue during recording. Its only during playback that the dropouts are heard.

[stuart-beattie]

and another, tried the same using Reaper, same issue, albeit not as bad